Frederick Douglass Quarter Launch Ceremony Highlights

On Tuesday, April 4, quarters honoring the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site were formerly introduced to the public.

With Frederic Douglass Oratorical Contest winners Gabrielle Sutherland and Silas Montgomery standing by, Dave Motl, Acting Principal Deputy Director, United States Mint, presents Frederick Douglass National Historic Site quarters struck on the first day of production to National Park Service Acting Director Michael T. Reynolds and Frederick Douglass National Historic Site Superintendent Tara Morrison during the April 4, 2017 launch ceremony in Washington, DC. The coin is the 37th release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Officials from the United States Mint and National Park Service hosted the quarter’s release ceremony at the historic site in Washington, D.C.

"Despite the passing showers prior to the event, the skies cleared and the sun came out to greet over 300 people, including 75 schoolchildren in attendance at the Frederick Douglass Quarter Launch," U.S. Mint spokesman Michael White said Wednesday in an email to numismatic media.

Students from DC Prep Academy proudly hold their new Frederick Douglass National Historic Site quarters. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

The coin’s reverse depicts Douglass seated at a writing desk, with his home in Washington, D.C., in the background.

"Even at a young age, Frederick Douglass realized the value of literacy and the power of knowledge," said David Motl, Acting Principal Deputy Director at the Mint. "This new coin honors one of the most influential African-American leaders of the 19th century, whose brilliant words will continue to inspire us for generations to come.

Dave Motl, Acting Principal Deputy Director of United States Mint Tara Morrison, Superintendent of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, and Michael T. Reynolds, Acting Director, National Park Service, addresses the crowd gathered at the quarter launch. U.S. Mint photos by Jill Westeyn.

Event highlights included recitations of Frederick Douglass speeches by Maryland area homeschooled students Gabrielle Sutherland and Silas Montgomery, winners in the 2016 Frederick Douglass Oratorical Contest; and entertainment by the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices, a local ensemble that performs Civil War-era music.

A crowd of about 300 people witnesses the ceremonial quarter launch. U.S. Mint photo by Jill Westeyn.

The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices entertains the audience before the ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Tom Hipschen was also recognized for his work on the coin.

Thomas Hipschen, Artistic Infusion Program artist, proudly stands next to the design of the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site quarter. Hipschen was recognized for his work on the coin. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Industrial Bank sponsored a coin exchange that followed the ceremony. The local bank exchanged about $11,000 in P-mint mark quarters.

Quarters poured during the ceremonial launch of the coin. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site quarters started entering circulation on Monday, April 3. On the same day, the U.S. Mint released Douglass quarters in rolls and bags. Available options include coins produced at the San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia Mints at prices that range from $18.95 to $46.95.

The U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program was introduced in 2010 and will celebrate 56 national parks and other sites through 2021. The Frederick Douglass quarter is the 37th released and the second of five unique quarter designs for 2017.